EIGHT inmates died at a prison in one year, figures show.

One of the eight deaths at Lewes Prison in 2016 was a suicide, according to information revealed by the Ministry of Justice.

The number of deaths is double the four reported at the prison in the previous four years.

Fuller details about the deaths have not been revealed but experts believe some were linked to drugs and legal highs.

It is also believed more deaths are being reported because of the rise in the number of older prisoners as a result of historic sexual offences who may die from natural causes.

The Howard League for Penal Reform says nationally there have been a record number of suicides in prison in 2016, 119 out of 254 deaths in total, and the issue needs to be urgently addressed.

Chief executive Frances Crook said: “No one should be so desperate while in the care of the state that they take their own life and yet every three days a family is told that a loved one has died behind bars.

“Cutting staff and prison budgets while allowing the number of people behind bars to grow unchecked has created a toxic mix of violence, death and human misery.

“The problems are clear for all to see.

“The Howard League is offering solutions.

“We have shown ministers how, by taking bold but sensible action to reduce the number of people in prison, we can save lives and prevent more people being swept away into deeper currents of crime and despair.”

Justice Secretary Liz Truss said violence, self-harm and deaths in prisons were too high.

She said: “These are long-standing issues that will not be resolved in weeks or months but our reforms will lay the groundwork to transform our prisons, reduce reoffending and make our communities safer.”